Nearly three-quarters of Canadians support PM in seeking closer ties with Europe

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 17, 2026. Photo by Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images

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Almost 73 per cent of Canadians say Prime Minister Mark Carney is on the right track in seeking a closer economic and security alliance with the European Union, according to a new poll by Canada Pulse Insights, a public opinion research firm in Toronto.

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Seventy-three per cent of respondents said they agree that, based on the ongoing unpredictability that has come to define Canada’s trading relationship with the United States, strengthening ties with Europe will protect Canada’s economy.

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The remaining 27 per cent of respondents disagree, saying Carney is heading in the wrong direction, because closer EU ties will not be sufficient to offset the negative impact of the trade war with the U.S. That figure includes a majority of Conservative supporters who say Carney is heading in the wrong direction.

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The survey findings come as the Canada–EU Summit takes place in Montreal on Oct. 29 and 30, where Carney is hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The focus of the discussions is expected to be closer co-operation in trade, defence and security, energy, critical minerals and technology.

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The poll also found majority support in every region across Canada for the Prime Minister’s approach. British Columbia leads that view at 81 per cent, followed by Atlantic Canada (79 per cent), Québec (75 per cent), Ontario (72 per cent), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (64 per cent) and Alberta (62 per cent).

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Meanwhile, support rises with age and education. Among Canadians 55 and over, 83 per cent support Carney’s efforts, compared with 66 per cent of respondents 18 to 34 and 67 per cent of those aged 35 to 54.

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Among university graduates, 82 per cent approve. That compares with 70 per cent of respondents with trades or college education, and 68 per cent of those with a high school diploma or less.

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Support is lower among Canadians in households earning less than $50,000, at 62 per cent, compared with 75 per cent or more in higher-income households.

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Men (71 per cent) and women (75 per cent) express similar views in supporting Carney.

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Among supporters of the federal Liberals, 95 per cent support closer ties with Europe, as well as 86 per cent of NDP supporters and 83 per cent of Bloc Québécois supporters. A majority of undecided voters (79 per cent) also support closer ties with Europe.

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However, a majority of present Conservative supporters (58 per cent) say that Carney is heading in the wrong direction, while 42 per cent say he is heading in the right direction.

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There is a distinct difference between past Conservative voters and respondents who express present support for the party. Among Canadians who said they voted Conservative in April 2025, there is an even split, with 51 per cent saying Carney is on the right track and 49 per cent disagreeing.